The way I see it...

The angry Indian

Something is indeed extremely fascinating about the national capital. Amongst the shivers and chatters, a calm and serene air prevailed throughout the day. Maybe it was me or the overall atmosphere, the energies of people seemed to have been dripping. But, Anshu Gupta’s speech woke everyone from the slumber and provoked each to action.

As he spoke about Habib, a man who made a living out of picking up unclaimed dead bodies, and the state of sanitary and menstrual habits of most women in India, there was a sense of guilt that swept through each one in the room. An anger amongst the ones who had done nothing to move their a** and the ones who’ve done a little to push harder. A snapshot of the real India was anything but fun. Goosebumps stood up as he recited the short yet powerful poem in the end.

Apart from Anshu Gupta’s glaring story-telling/public speaking style which no doubt adds hugely to his advantage, one not so obvious yet remarkable quality is his obsession and anger, the urgency through which he continues to address issues and the simplicity of his thinking, his ideas and his execution. A visit to the Goonj collection and dispatching unit was only an affirmation to the same. Every single unit, process and employee exhibited that simplicity at each step – making it seem as though it all can be done – by you, by me and by every privileged citizen in the country.

While the visit proved to be one of the best experiences, not just at the yatra, but in life as well, it reminded us of our responsibilities and most importantly, compassion one needs to have to do something noble. Every tiny example Mr. Gupta quoted portrayed such humility, such a need. Not just the need to be responsible, but just the need for “being human”. If one angry man with one crazy, simple idea can make an ocean of difference, then why not us? I guess, we aren’t angry enough yet…

12.50 am, Friday, Jan 6, 2012

(From Delhi to Tilonia, Rajasthan)

As I embark upon what I hope to be a journey of my lifetime, I cant help but look back at the year 2011 - the year that thought me so much, made me feel like things cannot be sure, made me question my values, thoughts, feelings - about work, about friends, about love, about life... As crazy as it might sound, this year taught me SO much. It reaffirmed my faith in myself - only to emerge stronger, braver, lighter. Giving me a whole new meaning to forgiveness, to liveliness, to awesomeness. The places I've visited, the people I've met, few that I've gotten the chance to know, (especially the ones that I've come to be nearer to me), also, not to mention the weddings I've attended this year - all, just pure magical.

After vising more than 5 cities in the past 7 months, I've come to realize that travel doesn't offer anything new, it just opens you to a whole different world for/of yourself, helping you explore what had been, what could/should be (or, the brooder in me gotto shut up) and most importantly who you'd rather be with, why play the role and what makes the difference. One minute, you're staring out of the window, the next minute, you're making life's decisions!

Talking of life decisions, what is with people getting hitched, one after the other and another? I've attended like 5 weddings in just 4 months and guess what? I am the least bit tired of it. In fact, I want more of em. Apart from the fact that you get to dress upp, the part I enjoy most about a wedding is that - one glance around and it would click in you head, various number of times, the kodak moments, i.e., the best dressed, the best smiles and the best cars. ;) Everyone appears to be happy, everyone appears like they care, everyone feels great (at least looks like it) and everyone is just there. Now that, could be in different forms. Frenzy reunions, youngsters picturing themselves on the aisle/mandap or just rejoicing that its not them up there, old folks reminiscing about their times, or hoping their son/daughter would be next, or just the kids figuring out how they could get their hands on the next bowl of ice-cream. Whatever may be, there is that Kodak moment and I am sure as hell, its worth the capture.

The world revolves around love, and the rest they say, is just logistics. Time and again, I go back and forth about the idea of love, and today, I am at the same place that I'd started but looking at people around - friends, family and sometimes even strangers I say to myself, "Maybe, its like the existence of God itself, an idea that you keep questioning." But when it (the idea) is in your life, it's like a speed boat, excieting, entrilling, fun and F***ING scary - every little minute, every little second, every little moment. The hurt is deep, but what you learn out of it is in fact deeper, leaving you no choice but to be wiser (;p). To top it all, you're like, "Was it love at all in t he first place?"

People who know me know that, professionally, I am yet to find what I want to do for the rest of my life. Having shifted close to 5 jobs in 3 years, I've tried my best to find my love, my passion, my work. And, I am still trying. Yet, in the years to come, I intend to find it, and I am doing everything in my control to seize the moment, but I guess, its like true love, you'll know it when it happens. Until then, I'll keep rowing to find that speed boat.

That, a lot of rant and a bunch of rock bottoms, pretty much sums up 2011. Obviously, the cherry on the cake moments were a crazy heart break, super close friends unexpected wedding and a one-on-one with SRK (in the exact same order). Maybe it is the year ender casting its spell, but I know for sure that I haven't felt this way before. Inspite the highs so high, and lows so low, I feel cherished, I feel blessed and I feel alive... So, all I could say is, don't let those crappy jobs, "holed" pockets, lousy dumps and crazy fears get to you, cos life is much much more than just that. It about taking that feeling all in, and living the dream - even if it means bit by bit. So, hang in there and keep Feelin n Stayin' Alive... I feel it today, high time you feel it too!

So Sania Mirza married Shoaib Malik the “Pakistani” cricketer…. How does it exactly affect your
or my existence?
When Sania Mirza won the 2003 Wimbledon Championships Girls' Doubles title she was
the “Bharat Ki Beti”,”The Shining Star”, “The Ray of Hope” in our cricket crazy country. She
continued to win millions of hearts in our country while at the same time hurting a couple of them
as well. All she was doing was wearing a skirt (what do most Hindu/Muslim Bollywood actresses
do anyway?) or wearing a funky tee, calling off her own engagement…Well, the other instances
she was just Human…just like you and me.
Now since she’s married a Pakistani, she is no more the citizen of our nation. She is a Traitor, a
Terrorist ,a women with no morals, values, ethics and a person who doesn't deserve to visit her
own country. All people want to talk is about her r**k, about how fat she’s become, the brands
she endorses, and how much she’s looted. Here’s flash news! Companies who endorse her
aren’t just doing charity by paying millions; they are doing it because people are willing to see/
follow her. And why is it selfishness when all she wants to do is “Make hay while the sun shines”?
Anyhow, I do not support her stumbling career, her game, and her lack of enthusiasm towards
the sport. It’s sad, disappointing and depressing to see such a talent going down the drain. I felt
the same way when SRK made movies like Paheli, Amitabh starred in a movie like Boom, and
Ganguly underperformed in a series of matches. And they still have millions of dollars hanging up
their sleeves. So what’s all the fuss about anyway?
The point I am trying to make here is - people are just doing their job, they might be better than
the best at one point or they just might fail miserably in the rest.
6 months down the line most of us would not care about anything that has happened unless
she (miraculously) wins the Olympic Games & if she does, I promise you all, she will once again
become the “Bharat Ki Beti” & the titles that follow.
However, I think it bottles down to personal choice. I realize she’s a public figure, she needs to
follow a certain code of conduct, she needs to be politically right .Yet I disapprove of the fact
that we get to have a say in whom she chooses to spend the rest of her life with, what she wants
to name her kids, or where she wants to live. What ever happened to the democracy we boast
about?
What has she done wrong? I mean to my knowledge she hasn’t gotten involved in drug
trafficking, gunrunning, money laundering, extortion, fraud, human trafficking or poaching.
Neither has she been engaging in black marketeering, political violence, religiously motivated
violence, terrorism, and abduction. Why don’t we protest against people who engage them selves
in such activities and utilize our energy rather then pouncing over trivial issues such as this.
Media lights this S**t up & we tend to fuel it too. Bottom line, to me she’s more Indian than those
politicians who do nothing but stock up people’s money and businessmen who continue to fool
people & also most of us who have done pretty much nothing for our nation.